OSHA Cites Lumber Manufacturer for Combustible Dust as Hazard

HOMERVILLE, GA – OSHA cited Dupont Yard Inc., a lumber and wood post mill, for 22 safety and health violations. Notably, combustible dust accumulation of more than 1/8-inch was listed as a safety and health hazard.

The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), proposed $279,400 in fines against Dupont Yard after an inspection in response to a complaint about hazardous working conditions at the Homerville plant. Proposed penalties total $279,400.

Dupont Yard manufactures posts for agricultural projects and highway construction and produces timber and wood chips. In the past six years, 39 violations have been cited in four previous inspections.

"Since 2007, this employer has known about the dangers of a lack of machine guarding and exposure to electric shock, but repeatedly puts workers at risk of serious injury or death," said Robert Vazzi, OSHA's area director in Savannah.

Violations found at Dupont Yard are categorized by OSHA as "willful" because, it says, they were "committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health."

As a result, says OSHA, it placed Dupont on its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law. Under the program, OSHA may inspect any of the employer's facilities or job sites.

Dupont Yard, cited February 18, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.